Obituary: Susan Mary Aylward, 58, of Shelton

Susan Mary Aylward, age 58, of Shelton entered into rest on June 25, 2016 in her home with her loving family by her side. She is the devoted wife of Kevin Aylward, of 34 years.

She was born on November 1, 1957 the beloved daughter of Phylis “Meme” (Rusate) Merola and the late Anthony V. Merola Sr. and was a lifelong Shelton resident.

Susan is the loving mother of Matthew Aylward and his wife Sara, and the loving sister of Anthony Merola Jr.

Susan started her career as a CPA for Price Waterhouse before being employed at TIE Communications, where she was the Corporate Comptroller. Following her time there, Susan continued her career at PHS which later became Health Net, working as the Director of Finance and becoming the Director of Recovery Operations.

She received her Bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac University and then went on to receive her Master’s degree from the University of New Haven. At the time of her diagnosis of ALS, she was enrolled at Fairfield University working on a post-graduate certification in IT/Business.

Susan’s real passions in life were traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed summers and falls up at Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont, trips with her husband and friends up the New England Coastline to Maine, but her favorite place to visit was Disney!

In her spare time Sue served as a one-on-one mentor at the Luis Munoz Marin School in Bridgeport for many years, was the Health Net representative on Valley United Way’s volunteer council leading numerous projects and collections with Health Net employees, and spent years traveling with the Shelton High School robotics team to competitions across the country, where the kids knew her for baking delicious chocolate fudge brownies. She served the City of Shelton as a 2nd Ward Alderman from 1985-1987 but didn’t seek reelection due to the birth of her son.

Up until the end Sue was always giving back. Friends and family participated with her in the Walk to Defeat ALS – Steps for Sue Team – where over the past three years they contributed over $35,000 for the ALS Association CT Chapter and was the top fundraising team at the New Haven Walk two years in a row.

The family would also like to offer thanks to Dr. Charles Whitaker and the staff of the ALS Clinic at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, everyone at the ALS Association CT Chapter, Edlyne Jean-Louis, Racina Massey, Diana Cirillo of Panache Hair Design, and all of her nurses and caregivers.

Friends and family gathered to celebrate Susan’s life at Riverview Funeral Home and St. Lawrence Church. She was laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Shelton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The ALS Association Connecticut Chapter, 4 Oxford Rd. Unit E4 Milford, CT. 06460.